Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas ~ Neutral and Natural

It is so difficult to choose a look for Christmas with so much fantastic inspiration at our fingertips. While I love the rich colours of a traditional Christmas, for some reason, this year I have really been drawn to Christmas decor with more neutral colours and natural elements. Here is selection of pictures I have found to illustrate the look.

I love the simplicity of dried branches hung with simple Christmas baubles.

Christmas stockings made from burlap or beautiful fabrics in pale hues.

I think I am going to keep my table setting very simple this year - something along these lines.

This year I am wrapping my presents in brown paper and then jazzing them up with beautiful ribbon.

I wonder if I will make a gingerbread house again. I made one a few years ago. It took me an entire day to make and my boys flattened it in about 5 seconds. I haven't completely got over that experience!

I would never of thought of grey as a colour for Christmas, but this is lovely.

I think I will stick to white, gold and silver on my tree.

I love the fabric decorations below.

There are lots of ways one can use natural elements for Christmas and the best part is that they are inexpensive or free!

Natural greenery and fresh fruit used on a mantel - beautiful.

Potted rosemary bushes as mini Christmas trees - perfect.

Decorations made out of seed pods - gorgeous!

There are hundreds of ways to use pine cones.

Animals must be included.

How about writing a message to Santa or a menu on a blackboard.

I think I'm going to try this at my house LOL!

or this!

I have made a small start on my decorations. I had to move my little desk in the corner to make place for my Christmas tree.

So much christmas inspiration here!! I love all these pics and all the different styles, I agree it is hard to choose when there is so much inspiration out there. Love that last 'merry christmas' bunting. Your living room looks gorgeous in it all it's christmas glory. Merry Christmas to you too!! Leahxx

Thank you SO much for sharing all of that wonderful eye candy! Your home is just as beautiful as the other pictures that you had in your post. I haven't actually done much decorating at my house yet so your post is a real inspiration for me.

Sharon! Your living room is stunningly beautiful! I love it...and you and I like many of same colors, I tend to use lots of golds, ivories and very soft tones on my tree too. I love this post..so much beauty all in one place. And your living room is truly gorgeous!

Hi Sharon. I could visit here all day with the gorgeous inspiration.. your home is looking wonderfully festive. Have a great time decorating, make the gingerbread house and out it on display for a day and then let them have it!!

Sharon - you know how much I love a natural Christmas and this post demonstrates that so beautifully! To me it's calming and keeps the holiday season in perspective - for what it is intended...very nicely done!

just had to stop back through and take another look at this stunning post..am getting lots of inspiration...love the gorgeous whites in your home..am wanting to do whites as well..hope you have a wonderful Christmas and get to enjoy your family at the holiday too....blessings,maureen

hello Sharon, i am just doing my little Santa tour, coming to drop off a shining star for you :) ...and wish you a merry Christmas. Thank you for the lovely inspiration you share with all of us all year aroundxo sandra

Hi Sharon. I am new to your lovely blog...just viewed your Christmas post...it is very beautiful and full of gorgeous do able ideas....for next year!!! Loved my visit this morning over tea....Thank you? N.xo

About Me

I am married with four sons. We live in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa. Interior decorating and design has been my passion for as long as I can remember. I am also an incurable Francophile, enjoy good food and fine wine (actually any wine is fine with me) and generally living well.